Christmas Crafting

| November 28, 2017

I sent Sam to Busy Bees on Black Friday for a special 3 hour camp. I felt kind of bad for Sam because she was the only kid who signed up! At first, I think she was a bit disappointed, but when I went to pick her up, Karen, the instructor (who Sam knows and likes a lot) said Sam said she was glad she was the only kid there. I mean, it would have been nice for her to have some kids to talk to, but I can see the appeal of having all the attention to yourself!

She made this pretty canvas, which we now having hanging in our living room…

…a special plate for Santa’s cookies (she wants one for the reindeers’ carrots now too)…

And an ornament. So pretty! At least she had a good time, my crafty girl!

The Tree! Finally, the Tree!

| November 27, 2017

Last night we got our tree up! Finally! Ok, ok, I know it’s not even December yet, but I am so ready for Christmas to come!!!! The cats were super excited. The minute we stood the tree up, Penny tried to climb in (and succeeded), much to Sam’s amusement. Zach is a little more controlled this year, thankfully. While we were decorating, they chilled out together in a chair. We think their red pillow is very Christmasy!

Sam’s favorite part, by far, is unwrapping all of our ornaments. She loves discovering what is in each packet of tissue paper. She was happy to find these! She told Mark she wants to make one more this year for her teacher. We have to find some wood circles, stat!

I don’t know how many years ago Sam made all these pipe cleaner candy canes, but we do love them, and hang them up every year.

Zach does like pipe cleaners, so….

This brings back memories….

Hmmm…where’s Penny? She’s hard to spy, that little devil…

Still can’t see her?

Let’s adjust the lighting a bit. There she is! Bad little kitten. 😉

Oh, Penny. You are not an ornament!

Sam helped Mark put up some of his birds. They always go on our tree. Memories of Germany…

Last but not least, the star! Sam loves putting it on top.

Ta da! Our beautiful tree.

But wait! We forgot one more ornament! A special bicycle for Mark this year.

Sam wanted to show off the electronic tree that she and her Daddy made last year. It still works! As if there was any doubt.

Oh Zach!

We’re ready!

Kitty Play Time

| November 26, 2017

Sam loves her kitties! I think the thing she loves the most is how much they interact with her, and play with her. That is something that Zephyr never did. Mark was taking pictures of Zach and somehow this game of kitty paws under the door ensued! Sam loved it! She was giggling and having a blast!

Why all cats seem to love this game, I have no idea!

Penny wanted to get in on the action too.

I love her face. She is so tickled every time they play with her this way. These young, crazy kitties were exactly what Sam needed in her life.

Here’s one of the photos of Zach. He is so handsome!

And finally, Sam and her Penny. She always says that Penny is her cat, since she named her. She really does think of Penny as hers, and I am ok with that. She loves Penny (and Zach) so fiercely. And they love her too. They put up with all her hugging, kissing, carrying, tormenting, and occasional dressing up without complaining too much. A match made in heaven. 🙂

Christkindlmarkt

| November 25, 2017

Today we tried something new for Christmas – we went to Bethlehem to the Christkindlmarkt. It has apparently being going strong for 25 years but I’ve only really become aware of it in the last few. We always say we are going to go, and we never do. Well, this year, we went! The idea is supposed to be like the German Christmas markets, and it was really nice, but it can’t compare to being in Germany at Christmastime.

The market is held at what is called the Steel Stacks, once the home plant of Bethlehem Steel. Like the other steel mills in this country, it is no longer functioning, but it is an amazing location! If you would like to know more about it, I would highly recommend clicking this link.

I had to wait in the will call line for our tickets, so Sam and Mark went to check out the plant.

It is really unbelievable to look at. Imaging what it would have been to work there is hard. What a difficult job, and a difficult life those men had.

But on to the fun! Our favorite tent was full of the “artisan” vendors. We found a woodworker who was there just making custom tops for kids all day. He makes it right in front of them, and the kids get to pick their own colors. Sam was entranced! When Mark said let’s go to the “top store” she thought it was just a place to buy tops. What a surprise!

Sam picked pink and purple (not orange, surprisingly!)

When we went outside, the ice carver was just setting up. Sam couldn’t wait to see how anyone can sculpt with a chainsaw out of ice!

It took a while, but he finally finished. The guy didn’t talk at all, but we think this one is an elf hat on it’s side.

Here are some of the other things he made that day. It’s pretty cool.

Inside, near St. Nick, there were trees decorated with Peeps decorations. Sam loved them! She loves the Peeps.

The weather could not have been better for strolling around, and we managed to get some cute pictures, as we always seem to do!

Sam loved being able to sit on the actual steel beam. At least she really did get where we were and what all of that meant.

There was a Käthe Wohlfahrt store there just like in Germany. We have a ton of ornaments we bought in Germany, and of course, wound up coming home with more. This huge nutcracker was outside and Sam needed a photo with the big guy.

Before we left, we all went up the 71 steps (yes, Sam made me count) to view the entire Steel Stacks experience. I am glad we did. It is something I didn’t know was there, but am glad to have seen. The market was a lot of fun. Not something we’d necessarily trek to Bethlehem to do every year, but well worth the ride!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

| November 24, 2017

Happy Turkey Day! We had such a nice holiday I don’t know where to begin! I have to say, it was a really relaxing day. The cooking went smoothly, everything tasted awesome, and the cleanup seemed minimal. All the kids played nicely together, there was no fighting, and it all seemed very festive with my decorations up.

After dinner, the kids had a blast playing robots.

Even Ryder was getting in on the act!

Who knew all these kids were such geniuses?

Adam got a break from being my clean-up guy this year since there were hardly any dishes to do! I guess we can let him off for one year!

It was such a nice night. The kids played Trouble…

…watched some football…

…and played Hungry Hungry Hippos. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

Since the house was decorated, Mark grabbed a few festive pictures of the Burkes!

I am so thankful for my beautiful daughter Samantha, who reminds me to live in the moment. Thankful for my husband Mark who has always been, and will always be, my safe place. Thankful for my family who gives me much more than they get back. Thankful for all of the cats who have graced my life and remind me that all living things on this earth are important. Thankful for my job and the wonderful people I work with. Thankful for my home, that I have one, and that I can put food on our table. Thankful for our health and all of our other blessings. And mostly thankful that I have too many things to be thankful for than I can possibly list in this post. Happy Thanksgiving!